I'm easy-going, open-minded, enjoy the city buzz as well as nature, love exploring the world, people and their habits, cultures and languages, and observe how the local ecosystem works (I should have been anthropologist :D ); I try to avoid tourist traps when I travel, I just want to experience the normal day to day local life and stroll around a city or wherever I am without a fixed plan and just go where I feel I should be going on that very moment. It's too difficult to imagine when you're not in a place how it will be, so I just like to keep it open. I like to share stories; and have heard many, and have a lot of experience myself to share. I come from Antwerp, lived in Ibiza for 3 years and now living since two years in Amsterdam. I've traveled in Central and Southern Europe, Morocco, India, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Brazil and California.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I work in the field of the sharing economy, because I feel blessed that technology offers us the opportunity to connect with strangers and for example stay at their homes, instead of staying in hotels and hiring a guide to give you a tour. The best life is with locals I believe.

I love the community feel it has to it, and the human component.. I love to share, exchange and connect.

Interests

• theater
• performing arts
• yoga
• meditation
• traveling
• jazz
• anthropology
• languages
• solo travel
• beaches
• nature
• dance
• meeting people
• learning new things
• sharing
• seaside
• sharing economy
• sharing stories
• local culture
• connecting
• experiences
• observing
• social entrepreneurship
• local cuisine
• city
• global connections

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I love so many different styles (jazz, techno, dance music, house, reggae, salsa, or any latin type of music, urban, pop, etc.) find me on Spotify :)

Movies: I don't like violence and horror stuff, I don't understand what it brings me, except for a lot of stress and nightmares!! I don't watch a lot of tv, if I do, it's mostly documentaries, fantasy, adventure, animated or cultural films, and sometimes a series when others convince me I should watch it :)

Books: Shantaram I've read during my journey through India, that was really nice! Through the looking glass will always be one of my favorites, and recently I've also read Desert Flower by Waris Dirie, which had really touched me. I have read more books, but always forget which ones when I'm asked about them :)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The most amazing thing was my journey through India & Sri Lanka alone for three months..I've done some other amazing stuff, but I'll tell you about it when we meet.

Teach, Learn, Share

I would like to know the local know-how of your city or country.

I love the unexpected and learning new things. So there are probably a lot of things I would love to learn, and which I don't think of right now. I just love exchanging things from each others worlds and experiences.

Since I work in the sharing economy, I am curious of what is taking place in your city and try some sharing apps such as co-working spaces, ride sharing, food sharing, and whatever there is to be found in your city.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Basically, I'm a good life coach. Since I had a full and sometimes challenging life since my early childhood, I have had many different experiences, which makes me empathize easily with others. Besides that, I'm a true problem solver with a gift for seeing opportunities, so if you're stuck with something, lets talk about it. Or if you have an idea, or you have a business or something but you need an outsider perspective, you can bounce your ideas off or issues and I'll share my thoughts on it.

I've got experience in Marketing, Communication, Business Development, Storytelling, Business model canvas, Social Entrepreneurship, Sharing Economy etc. I advice governments, companies, organizations and people how to deal with innovation, how to stay innovative themselves and more importantly how to do it in an socially inclusive and sustainable way.

Countries I’ve Visited

Brazil, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, Netherlands, Spain